Grasmere, Elterwater, Skelwith, Ambleside - June 30th 2010

Started from the back of Grasmere, going by Silver How and over the top and down to Chapel Stile, Elterwater, Skelwith Force and onward via Brathay to Clappersgate and Ambleside. It was a moderate walk of about 8 mile approx and took us about 6 hours with lunch and stops for photos etc.

On the way at various points we saw or heard: Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Several Tree Pipits on Silver How.


Lots of baby frogs of about 1/2" in size where crossing our path with regularity whilst we ascended Silver How from Grasmere.

Chimney Sweeper moths, Pearl Bordered Fritillary at lower levels, and several larger Fritillaries where flying across the marshy areas low down and also the now matured green bracken at higher levels. Good numbers of Small Heath Butterflies where seen throughout. Also Common Blue Damselflies.


Lots of nice flowers etc: Masses of the beautiful yellow Bog Asphodel at the base of Silver How, also commoner species like Foxglove, Tormentil. Cotton Grass was also seen at the lower levels. A very beautiful small blue violet was also noted in the swampy low down areas..

Photos: top left: looking over to Grasmere and Rydal Lake from side of Silver How. top right: Silver How looking towards Helm Crag. middle left: Bog Asphodel below Silver How. middle right: The Langdales from Elterwater. bottom left: English Stonecrop near Chapel Stile and finally bottom right: walking down fellside towards Chapel Stile. PLEASE CLIVER OVER PHOTO ONCE TO ENLARGE AND THEN CLICK OVER AGAIN FOR FULL ENLARGEMENT...